Department Manager - Environmental Remediation & Emergency Response

PNE•Lakewood, WA

15h

About The Position

Cowlitz Clean Sweep (CCS), a division of Pacific Northern Environmental, LLC, is hiring a Department Manager for its Environmental Remediation & Emergency Response department. The role is accountable for safe, compliant, and profitable department performance. The manager owns the department budget and P&L; develops estimates, bids, and project plans; tracks performance and change orders; builds customer relationships and secures new work; and supports employee development. Work is primarily self-performed, with subcontractors engaged as needed. The manager leads daily remediation operations across the regional service area and oversees 24/7 spill and emergency response readiness, staffing, on-call coverage, equipment, and response performance. The role works closely with the Regional Operations Manager and may be based in Longview, Tacoma, or Portland; Longview is the primary operations base. The manager is expected to maintain a hands-on field presence and remain available for time-sensitive operational, customer, and project needs outside normal business hours, including responding onsite to significant emergencies as needed. The position involves work at offices, industrial facilities, and active jobsites, including excavation, demolition, UST, and remediation operations. The employee must follow safety controls, wear required PPE, and participate in the respiratory protection program. The role is safety-sensitive and subject to company drug and alcohol testing requirements. Employment offers are contingent on successful background screening, MVR review, and drug testing.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Five or more years of experience in environmental remediation, industrial environmental services, or a closely related field-operations setting.
Three years of experience managing field crews and projects in remediation, environmental services, construction, or a comparable industrial setting.
Demonstrated track record of improving field productivity, cost, and safety KPIs for subcontractors and company field staff.
Excellent leadership skills, including goal setting, motivating, training, and mentoring.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including writing, speaking, and active listening.
Strong customer relationship management, communication, negotiation, and business-development skills, including resolving issues in high-pressure situations.
Demonstrated experience directing contaminated-soil excavation, transportation and disposal, demolition, emergency response, and UST removal or decommissioning projects.
Working knowledge of environmental sampling, groundwater and dewatering activities, remediation treatment systems, agency reporting, and regulatory closure processes, including coordination with state environmental agencies.
Ability to manage a department P&L and budget; prepare proposals, scopes of work, and cost estimates; track project costs and run rates; manage change orders; and achieve revenue and profitability goals.
Must obtain and maintain state and industry licenses or certifications required to supervise regulated UST removal, decommissioning, site assessment, and related remediation work in Washington and Oregon within timelines established at hire, and in Montana and Idaho as needed, before performing work requiring them.
Current 40-hour HAZWOPER certification under 29 CFR 1910.120, including 8-hour supervisor training and a current annual refresher, required at hire or to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Valid driver's license, eligibility for coverage under the company's vehicle insurance policy, acceptable MVR/ADR, and continued eligibility to drive under company policy. Reviews are required before employment and annually thereafter.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications.
Ability to move about offices, industrial facilities, and active jobsites; move work-related equipment weighing up to 50 pounds; remain stationary for extended periods; operate technological devices; occasionally use ladders and stairs; and occasionally work outdoors in varied weather.
Ability to respond outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and travel on short notice to significant events.
Ability to work around active excavation, demolition, UST, and remediation operations while following safety controls; wear required PPE and participate in respiratory protection, including medical clearance and fit testing.
Must maintain facial hair conditions that allow a proper respirator seal under company policy and applicable OSHA requirements, subject to legally required reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in environmental science, geology, construction management, business, or a related field.
Current UST licenses and certifications.
Incident Command System (ICS) experience and Incident Commander-level emergency response training under 29 CFR 1910.120(q); training can be provided after hire.
Current OSHA 30, First Aid/CPR, confined-space entry or rescue, and applicable DOT hazardous-materials training; these may be obtained through company-approved training after hire.

Responsibilities

Lead daily remediation operations and workflow across the regional service area, ensuring safe, compliant, efficient, and high-quality execution.
Establish department priorities and operating plans with the Regional Operations Manager.
Maintain a visible, hands-on presence through job walks, project planning, field reviews, customer meetings, and support of complex work.
Own the department budget and P&L, including forecasts, revenue goals, cost controls, productivity, profitability, and performance reporting.
Develop estimates, bids, scopes, and quotes; approve work within delegated authority and elevate items above approval limits to the Regional Operations Manager.
Plan and schedule labor, equipment, rentals, materials, subcontractors, and other project resources.
Track project value, labor, equipment, rentals, subcontractor costs, time onsite, production, and remaining scope to manage run rates and project performance.
Identify additional customer needs and out-of-scope work, develop change orders, and establish stopping points when additional authorization is required.
Lead and oversee remediation work plans, sampling, remediation approaches, agency coordination and reporting, and closure documentation; coordinate qualified technical professionals when specialized review or approval is required.
Ensure UST removal, decommissioning, site-assessment, and related remediation activities meet licensing, notification, documentation, and regulatory requirements.
Oversee 24/7 Emergency Response readiness, staffing, on-call coverage, equipment, and response performance; respond onsite to significant events as needed.
Ensure qualified incident commanders are designated and coordinate with customers, regulatory agencies, and emergency services as required.
Coordinate with the Safety Department on required training and medical clearance for emergency response personnel, and assign only qualified personnel to emergency response work.
Ensure spill and release notifications, response documentation, and waste handling are completed accurately and on time; support Safety Department incident reviews as needed.
Direct self-performed crews and manage subcontractors for safety, scope, schedule, quality, documentation, and cost performance.
Build and maintain customer relationships, promptly resolve concerns, and support business development and regional growth.
Partner with the Regional Operations Manager and Human Resources on workforce planning, recruiting, selection, onboarding, and staffing decisions.
Provide coaching, performance evaluations, recognition, corrective action, and termination recommendations or decisions in coordination with the Regional Operations Manager and Human Resources.
Ensure employees receive the training, cross-training, qualifications, and certifications needed for assigned work, in coordination with the Safety Department.
Develop and improve department processes, project controls, documentation, and performance measures.
Safely operate company vehicles as required and comply with traffic laws and company driving policies.
Remain available for time-sensitive operational, customer, and project needs outside normal business hours as necessary.
Promote a positive, accountable, productive, and safety-focused work environment aligned with company values.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plan options for employees and eligible dependents.
Company-paid and voluntary life and AD&D insurance.
Specialty prescription programs.
Group Aflac options, including hospital, critical illness, and accident plans.
Pretax flexible spending account (FSA).
Pretax dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).
Teladoc telehealth services.
401(k) plan with discretionary annual company matching contributions.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Paid training and certifications.
Paid leave for qualifying employees, including vacation, sick leave, holidays, jury duty, and bereavement leave.
Up to $2,000 per year profit sharing for qualifying employees.
Annual company events.
Safety incentives.
Eligibility for the Department Manager bonus program and a company vehicle.